FORT RILEY, Kan. – United States Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley and Airmen assigned to the United States Air Force will conduct joint training for certification of Fort Riley’s unimproved flight landing strip, northwest Fort Riley Oct. 27- Oct. 29.

The training and certification exercise will validate the air strip’s capabilities for future operations while conducting realistic training on a functional airfield which replicates  conditions Airmen and Soldiers may encounter in an austere forward operating location.

Airmen assigned to the 186th Airlift Squadron, Montana Air National Guard will fly to Manhattan Regional Airport, bundle equipment from the 97th Military Police Battalion,  air lifting MP Soldiers and equipment to the landing strip where the aircraft will land and unload equipment with engines running and take-off from the landing strip.  Support of the exercise, which also includes night air drop operations, is provided by Soldiers of 1st Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, and 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The landing strip validation will occur, while soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team conduct a Combined Live Fire Exercise in training areas nearby.